October 7, 2006 Ulmer Munster Cathedral, in Ulm, Germany
I was in awe of this massive Gothic ecclesiastical architectural example. It stood so high above the surrounding buildings in Ulm, that you didn’t need directions to reach it. Rightly so, the Munster is the tallest church in the world. It’s steeple (or spire) measures 528 feet high or 161 meters and it takes 768 steps to reach the top of its steeple. The cathedral can hold 30,000 people.
It houses many famous artworks such as:
A 15th century choir stall by Jorg Syrlin the Elder.
Hans Multscher’s “Man of Sorrows” on the main portal.
Carved busts, which are masterpieces in the history of art.
The Pulpit canopy by Jorg Syrlin the younger, as well as the altar and window in the chancel.
Work began on it in 1377, but there was a long period with no building. During 1377-1545 many famous builders worked on it. They were German gothic builders such as - Heinrich and Michael Parler, Ulrich Ensinger, Hans Kun, and Matthaus Boblinger. The church became protestant during the reformation, but building didn’t continue. It was finally completed from 1844 to 1890 with the addition of the spire. The cathedral was saved from the bombing of World War 2, because luckily there was a lot of dense fog in the region at the time.
Inside the church it had double aisles and a pentagonal apsidal choir. Its length was 464 feet long, its breadth was 159 feet, its nave was 136 feet high, and it was 47 feet wide. The work and the pure passion that each architect, builder, and artist had put into this church are displayed all around you. The stained glass windows tower over you with immense beauty yet they simultaneously command respect. You feel quiet inside as you approach the intricately massive cross of Jesus Christ above the altar. Even though I'm not religious by nature I still felt compelled to kneel before him.
If you were to sit silently in prayer I’m sure you’d hear the melodic voices of past choirs ringing forth in your mind. I imagined that the large pipe organ that hung suspended in the back of the church would play soulful notes, filling each corner during a service. On one side of the Munster there were church bells in a perfect line formation. One larger then the next waiting for it’s turn to ring a message of worship.
Thin white candles illuminated the corner of the church hoping that the next passing soul would toss in an offering. Tiny rooms lay in wait of those who needed privacy to send their sins to rest. The culmination of these areas created a place of worship, but each individual masterpiece is unique only to the Munster.
The breathtaking beauty equaled the impact of the spiritual gift that was offered to those who would listen. Besides The Munster's immense presence, we still need to go back again so we can climb all of those stairs!!
Author: Lisa Allen